Man convicted in deadly Craigslist plot in Ohio

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio jury must return March 20 to decide whether to recommend the death penalty for a man convicted of murder, kidnapping and robbery in a plot to lure men with Craigslist job offers and rob them.

Fifty-three-year-old ex-convict Richard Beasley slumped forward when the verdict was read in an Akron courtroom Tuesday night. He was found guilty of killing three men and wounding a fourth in 2011.

Prosecutors say he was the triggerman in the plot with a student he mentored. Brogan Rafferty, 16 at the time of the crimes, was convicted and sentenced last year to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Given his age, Rafferty wasn't eligible for the death penalty.

Jurors and attorneys for both sides remain under a gag order pending the sentencing.